disordered digestion, and in preventing its occurrence, as well from
experiments made on his own person, as from observations on others. He
believes their operation to be purely chemical, consisting in the
saturation of the morbid acid of the stomach, and, therefore, not likely
to be lessened by habit. Their effects are much more prompt than
magnesia, either pure or in the state of carbonate.
In the phosphatic diathesis, where the urine is disposed to be alkaline,
it would seem that these lozenges would do harm. But, perhaps, we have
this security against their use in these cases, that the stomach would
not at the same time be troubled with acidity. _Annales de Chimie et de
Physique, Jan._ 1826.
69. _Presence of Mercury in Samples of medicinal Prussic Acid._--Mr.
REGIMBEAU, apothecary at Montpellier, has detected this impurity in some
prussic acid, prepared in Paris. Its presence was first suspected, from
a portion of the acid, accidentally dropped, leaving a white stain on
the copper dish of a balance. It is probable, that the impure acid,
spoken of, had been made by passing sulphuretted hydrogen through a
solution of cyanide of mercury, according to VANQUELIN'S process; and
that an insufficiency of the decomposing gas had been employed.
May not this accidental impurity explain the occasional salivating
effects of prussic acid.
70. _Proposed Method for preparing Protoxide of Mercury by
precipitation, for Medical Employment._--Mr. THOMAS EVANS has published
some observations on this subject, and justly remarks, that the blue
pill, mercurial ointment, and other mercurial preparations, are not
uniform compounds, but contain variable proportions of the real
protoxide, and uncombined mercury. Some blue pill, which had been
carefully prepared by Mr. E. by the usual process of trituration, was
found to contain on analysis 20 per cent. of unoxidized mercury; and
the blue mass from Apothecaries' Hall, London, furnished about the same
proportion.
As it is obviously a desideratum to procure preparations of protoxide of
mercury of uniform strength, Mr. EVANS has been led to seek a process,
by which to obtain this oxide in a pure state. After repeated
experiments, he has pitched upon the following formula: Dissolve four
ounces of caustic hydrate of potassa in a pound of water, and to the
clear solution, decanted from any impurities, add four ounces of
calomel, and shake the mixture frequently. Pour off the liquid, and wash
the precipitate formed with water, and then dry it at a gentle heat.
In regard to the medical efficacy of the protoxide obtained in this way,
Mr. EVANS reports the following to be the results obtained by Dr.
COATES, at whose suggestion the article was prepared. As a substitute
for calomel, it is more apt to vomit and purge, two grain doses
operating several times. As an alterative, it was found incomparably
more efficacious than the blue pill, being more certain and regular in
its operation. Dr. C. thinks, that one-fourth of a grain of the
precipitated protoxide, as prepared by Mr. EVANS, is equal to three or
four grains of the blue mass.--_Journ. of the Philad. Col. of Pharm.
May_, 1826.
The method here proposed for obtaining the black oxide of mercury by Mr.
EVANS, was first suggested and put in practice by Mr. PHILLIPS. See his
"Experimental Examination of the last edition of the Pharmacopoeia
Londinensis, London, 1811," page 114. His words are, "When solution of
potash is employed, the several inconveniences attendant upon the use of
lime-water are avoided, and a blackish coloured protoxide is obtained
without heating the solution. As potash is much more soluble than lime,
it is scarcely necessary to employ one-tenth part of the quantity of
water; this not only renders the process more convenient, but the
quantity of air contained in the water being less, very little of the
oxide, perhaps none of it, is converted into peroxide." See also the
experiments, and observations of Mr. DONOVAN, on Mercurial Ointment, &c.
published in the Medical Journals, several years ago.
71. _Goulard's Extract of Lead._ Mr. DANIEL B. SMITH proposes the
following formula for obtaining Goulard's extract of uniform strength:
Acetate of lead, crystallized, 15 ounces, troy.
Protoxide of lead, 9 ounces, troy.
Distilled water, 4 pints.
"Boil them together for fifteen minutes and filter. The filtered liquid
will weigh about five and a quarter pounds, is transparent, colourless,
and of the specific gravity of 1.267. (30 deg. Baume.)"
We conceive that Mr. SMITH has erroneously denominated the sugar of
lead, a binacetate. The best usage is to deem that the primary saline
compound, which contains a single proportional of acid and base.
Accordingly we call the saturated carbonate of potassa, a
_bicarbonate_; and Dr. THOMSON calls borax, a biborate of soda, on
account of its containing two proportionals of acid to one of base,
notwithstanding the alkaline qualities of this salt. Goulard's extract
is, therefore, a sub-binacetate of lead, or according to Dr. THOMSON'S
recently suggested nomenclature, a _diacetate_.--_Ibid._
QUARTERLY LIST
OF
AMERICAN MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS
Observations on the Autumnal Fevers of Savannah. By W. C. Daniell, M. D.
8vo. pp. 152.--W. T. Williams, and Collins & Hanway. Savannah, 1826.
An Analysis of Fever. By Charles Caldwell, M. D., Professor of the
Institutes of Medicine, and Clinical Practice in Transylvania
University. 8vo. pp. 97.--Lexington, K. 1825.
Medical and Physical Memoirs. By Charles Caldwell, M. D., Professor, &c.
Containing, 1. An Introductory Address, intended as a Defence of the
Medical Profession against the charge of Irreligion and Infidelity; with
Thoughts on the Truth and Importance of Natural Religion. 2. A
Dissertation in answer to certain Prize Questions, proposed by his
Grace, the Duke of Holstein Oldenburg, respecting the "Origin, Contagion
and general Philosophy of Yellow Fever, and the Practicability of that
Disease prevailing in high Northern Latitudes;" with Thoughts on its
Prevention and Treatment. 3. Thoughts on the Analogies of Disease. 8vo.
pp. 224.--Lexington, K. 1826.
Florula Cestrica: an Essay towards a Catalogue of the Phoenogamous
Plants, native and naturalized, growing in the vicinity of the borough
of West-Chester, in Chester County, Pennsylvania; with brief notices of
their Properties and Uses, in Medicine, rural Economy and the Arts. To
which is subjoined an Appendix of the useful cultivated Plants of the
same District. By William Darlington, M. D. 8vo.--West-Chester, 1826.
We are much gratified with the appearance of this little flora.
It is really an uncommonly neat, useful, and convenient
performance; and, we have no doubt, is by far the most elegant
and creditable botanical work, if not the only one, published
in any small town in America. To a country town, we would not
think of looking for such a production; but in fact, the county
of Chester has, of late years, made very considerable advances
in science and literature. It has produced a public library,
and perhaps others with the existence of which we are not
acquainted, several botanical and mineralogical collections, a
very respectable series of essays on its history, similar to
Mr. Jefferson's notes on Virginia, schools, teaching the higher
branches of the English mathematics, and one of those partly
literary newspapers which have recently sprung up among us.
The above title considerably explains the nature and extent of
the work. Of its scientific accuracy, sufficient time has not
yet elapsed to form an adequate judgment; but we observe that
the author has had the frequent assistance of Baldwin, Collins,
Steinhauer, Torrey, and Schweinitz: so that, if the maxim
"noscitur a socio" be at all applicable in the present case, it
is evident that he has been in the very best botanical company
which our land affords.
The work is executed with very great neatness, such as would do
credit to the press of a metropolis, and is really wonderful
for a moderate sized village, and for the disturbed life of a
country physician, its author. There is also a great deal of
that kind of popular explanation, which so agreeably relieves
the repulsiveness of dry works on natural history: such as the
familiar names of the plants; the derivations of the names of
the genera, designed to assist the student in remembering them,
by enabling him to associate some idea with them; occasional
comments on their uses and injurious effects, &c.
We may add, that from the close proximity of Chester County to
Philadelphia, extending to a large part of the line of the
Schuylkill, this little work will answer extremely well for
common use around this city, with the single exception of the
sands of New-Jersey.
Memoir on the Topography, Weather, and Diseases of the Bahama Islands.
By P. S. Townsend, M. D.--New-York, 1826.
The New-England Journal of Medicine and Surgery, and Collateral Branches
of Science. Conducted by Walter Channing, Jr. M. D., and John Ware, M.
D. No. 2. Vol. XV.--Boston, April, 1826.
The American Medical Review, and Journal of Original and Selected Papers
in Medicine and Surgery. Conducted by John Eberle, M. D., Nathan Smith,
M. D., George M'Clellan, M. D., and Nathan R. Smith, M. D. No. 1, Vol.
III.--Philadelphia, April, 1826.
The Medical Recorder of Original Papers and Intelligence in Medicine and
Surgery. Conducted by Samuel Colhoun, M. D. No. 2, Vol.
IX.--Philadelphia, April, 1826.
The Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences. Edited by
N. Chapman, M. D., W. P. Dewees, M. D., and John D. Godman, M. D. No.
V. New Series.--Philadelphia, May, 1826.
The New-York Medical and Physical Journal. No. 17. Edited by John B.
Beck, M. D., Daniel L. M. Peixotto, M. D., and John Bell, M.
D.--New-York, April, 1826.
Journal of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. No. 2, Vol.
1.--Philadelphia, May, 1826.
AMERICAN EDITIONS OF FOREIGN MEDICAL BOOKS.
Manual of Surgical Operations; containing the New Method of operating,
devised by Lisfranc; followed by two Synoptic Tables of Natural and
Instrumental Labours. By J. Coster, M. D. and Professor of the
University of Turin. The Translation and Notes by John D. Godman, M. D.
12mo. pp. 265.--Carey & Lea. Philadelphia, 1825.
A Treatise on Derangements of the Liver, Internal Organs, and Nervous
System. By James Johnson, M. D. 12mo. pp. 223.--Carey & Lea.
Philadelphia, 1826.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Treatment of Diabetes, Calculus, and
other Affections of the Urinary Organs. By William Prout, M.D. F.R.S.
From the second London Edition, with Notes and Additions, by S. Colhoun,
M. D. 8vo. pp. 308.--Towar & Hogan. Philadelphia, 1826.
* * * * *
We are sensible that the foregoing does not present a full list of
medical publications for the last quarter; but it is as complete as our
opportunities have enabled us to make it. It is obviously for the
interest of authors and publishers, to send us the titles of their
medical publications as soon as they appear, and we invite them to do
so.